Schizophrenia: A Scientific and Artistic Review

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder affecting approximately 0.5-1% of the world's population. The symptoms of schizophrenia are positive, negative, and cognitive in nature, but the effects of schizophrenia have far more widespread effects than these. There are several causative theories of schizophrenia, including the dopamine hypothesis, glutamate hypothesis, dendritic spine abnormalities, and immune system involvement. These theories have provided proposed pharmacological targets, giving rise to numerous antipsychotic drugs. Despite the modest effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs, their systemic side effects are severe and plentiful. These side effects only add to the countless, inherent side effects that accompany this disease, the most notable of which are described in this review. Quality of life is severely impaired in schizophrenia patients, with stigma being a significantly contributing factor. This review, as well as the accompanying dance video, aim to portray the large extent to which schizophrenia affects the whole person.